Shaving aid



Patented July 26, 1932 UNITED STATES WALTER G. GATTON, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON SHAVING AID No Drawing. Application filed March 6,

This invention relates to a shaving aid, and more particularly to a chemical composition especially adapted for use as an aid in removing hair or whiskers from the face by i the process of shaving.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a composition of matter which, due to chemical reactions, will make the process of shaving simpler, easier and more eco- 1351 nomical.

Before whiskers may be readily out with a razor, they must be softened with water. Each individual hair is coated with a thin film of natural oil which initially does not permit the absorption of water by the hair. Heretofore, suggestions have been made for removing the oil film before shaving, but such suggestions have not resulted satisfactorily.

Another object of my invention is to provide a chemical composition to remove this film of oil instantly, thus permitting the immediate absorption by the hair of water, whereby the hair in its subsequent softened condition, will allow easy cutting by the razor.

A further object is to furnish novel means and a method for preparing hair for a shaving operation.

\Vith the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

To expeditiously remove the oil film from the hair, I employ a chemical reaction. This reaction is accomplished by the use of a dilute aqueous solution of a salt composed of a strong base and a weak acid, that is, a A, dilute aqueous solution of potassium or sodium carbonate or borate (K 00 M 00 K 3 0 Na B O either singly or in combination. While the solution of the above mentioned salt in water calls for no definite proportions, I prefer a solution of from one-half to one per cent of the salt in water, because at that concentration, the hydrolysis is substantially complete and continuous; At higher concentrations, there is an increasing amount of the salt which is not hydrolyzed. The hydrolysis of the salt solution liberates 1929. Serial No. 344,924.

the alkaline base which instantly saponifies and removes the oil film surrounding the hair, thus leaving it free to absorb water for the softening efiect.

In use, the dilute aqueous salt solution is applied direct to the face wherever there are whiskers, and then the ordinary lathering process with soap and water is used. My solution not only removes the oil film surrounding the hairs, but enables the soap o0 lather to absorb a greater quantity of water, thus bringing more water in contact with the hair, and increasing the rapidity and amount of softening.

The benefits to be derived from this shave. 6b aid are, a much quicker, easier, closer and more even shave with a smaller amount of shaving soap or cream, and at the same time, it eliminates the chief cause of sore and irritated skin, and ingrown hairs, which are m the usual after effects of an inefficient shave.

Although the hydrolysis and ionization of salt solutions, and the saponification are well known chemical phenomena, the idea of applying the above principles to the process of shaving, as I have described them, is believed to be new.

Heretofore, it has been suggested that bicarbonate of soda, mixed with olive oil, be used as a beard softener, and it was supposed that the bicarbonate of soda would remove the oil or grease from the face and whiskers.

However, this supposition is erroneous, because bicarbonate of soda is a salt, that will not hydrolyze in water or any other solute, only to a very minute degree, which takes the most delicate indicator known to chemistry to detect. Therefore, there is no active agent in the solution to have the desired effect on the oil of the whiskers. Furthermore, due to the presence of the olive oil, the process of softening will be hindered, as it will add to the oil and grease, instead of detracting from the same.

In contradistinction to this, it will be noted that I propose to use a solution of water and salt which is composed of a strong base and a weak acid, a salt which is not neutral in water solutions, but is almost entirely hy- 1 drolyzed by water in weak solutions. 00

shavi'i'igsoap; an aqueous solution containing ilon'e lialii' to one percent of a liydrolyzable al- In my process the carbonate breaks up with the Water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen carbonate or carbonic acid. As soon as it is broken up the carbonic acid attacks the hydroxide again forming Water and sodium carbonate. This is representative of the action of the four salts above mentioned, Which are the onlyones Which will carry on this peculiar chemical phenomenon in Water. 7

During the hydrolysis, part of the NaOH formed in the first disassociation, combines with the oil of the Whiskers under the process of saponification. The rest of the NaOH formed reunites with the carbonic acid as jre'vioi'i'sly mentioned, and this saponiiication fp'rocess coinpletely'reinoves the oil film from 'tliewhis'kers, leaving the l atterfree to absorb water for the softening effect.

While Ihave disclosed What I new con- 'siderfthe preferred composition and process "or using the same, I am aware that changes 'i'riayfbe Ina-dc in the details disclosed, Without departing-from the spirit of the inven- *tiojn, as expressed in the claim.

What I'claiin and desire to secure by Let- 'te'rs Patent is:

A 'r'net'h'od forpre'p'ari-ng human hair for shaving which comprises the step'of applyii' 'g tothe'hair, prior' to tlie'application of a metal salt chosen from the group consisting of 'socliu'in "and 1: ota' ssiuin borate and carbonate.

In testimony whereof, I havesigiied this specification.

YVALTER G. GATTON. 

